Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1887-09-15
Jus. !. often ga1e PROOF >, tae fal.ene,. j

this assertion.
It was the winter Of my seventeenth year
that Mrs. Kent received An urgent invita-
ton from friend in New York to visit her.
They had been old and dear friends, and
Mrs. Kent though she did not like the
idea OF gay winter in the metropolis, yet
felt obliged to accept her friends invitation
for the sake of old times.
Having never yet caught even a
glimpse Of the gay world, it is no wonder
felt some delight, yet great deal OF
trepidation, at the thought Of being a
visitor at one Of the richest and most
fashionable mansions in the city. Mrs.
Kent, having no desire that should appear
backward or illclad, provided me with an
ample wardrobe and spent much time in
instructing me in fashionable etiquette-to
all of which / listened with closest atten-
ton, determined that if possible my kind
patron should have no cause 70 feel morti-
fed at my appearance.
"Dear child,i said Mrs. Kent. s'how anx-
ious you are TO improve yourself in my eyes;
though" she added, ''you are good enough
and polished enough already, for you have
never caused me moments discomfort
since you became my dear adopted daugh-
ter"
And felt that she had paid me the high
est compliment I could have cared to
hear
We finally found ourselves domiciled at
Mrs. Leiberg's splendid and hospitable
mansion. She, like my adopted mother,
was a widow with married sons and daugh-
tiers. One son, however, resided with his
mother and his wife and their lovely chill
dren were the pride of her heart.
We were warmly received, and
h0mA on wit ha
whole family. / now for the first
time enjoyed the society of young
people l felt somewhat backward at first,
but this gradually wore off, and was soon
able 10 chat with comparative ease with my
new acquaintance. We attended concerts,
musical soirees; we visited the art galfer-
les, the museums, we rode in the park; we
attended the theater and opera, in fact, in
dulged in all those expensive luxuries and
costly pleasures that only the rich can af-
ford.
We were one day driving in the park, my
self, the younger Mrs. Iceberg and the
children, when suddenly carriage passed
us in whose occupants 1 recognized some
thing strangely familiar. leaned forward
to catch closer glimpse, and as did so the
gentleman turned his head and / caught
sight Of his face. could not be mistaken
the dark eyes, the soft curling hair
and shapely form were none other than
Oliver Dudley's. / knew him instantly,
and it only needed glance at the golden
hair Of the beauty beside him to ascertain
that it was Irma Barrett.
sank back with quick, keen pain at my
heart; my hand clutching aimlessly at my
rich. sable muff, my checks growing
strangely pale, l knew, for kind Mrs.
Iceberg at once enquired If l were i'll.
''Ohl no; it is nothing" / answered,
calmly enough, wondering even at myself
that could be SO strongly moved at the
sight of this man, who was not, nor ever
could be, aught to me.
Invent home feeling strangely depressed.
1t was probable then that the Claytons
were in the city. rad heard of their some
times visiting here. should be almost GER
tain to meet them knew, and my heart beat
quickly at the thought, for never could re
gard them in any other light than my Bit
terest enemies.
Mrs. Kent met me in the parlor. ''There
is gentleman to see you in the drawing
room, Dorrie,n she said, smiling. "Strange
how attractive Mr.. Balfour (naming the
gentleman) finds our house of late,n she
added, archly "And Colonel Baily called
also this morning. Really, Dorrie, you are
getting to be quite BELIEF